106 The CORÂN
to have held that "God had not revealed anything," i.e. beyond their own Scriptures; or to Mahomet; or perhaps that he had never sent down (أنزل ) anything materially, in the manner in which Mahomet declared that the Corân was sent down to him from God by Gabriel. In reply, Mahomet, as a complete refutation, points to "the book which Moses brought," then in their own hands; and which they copied on sheets or scrolls, or (as Jelalooddeen explains it) in separate parts, so that they were able to bring forward such scrolls or parts as they wished to show when arguing with Mahomet, and to keep back such as they did not wish to show, because perhaps adverse to their argument.

Mahomet no doubt believed that there were prophecies in the Old Testament, favourable to his mission, which the Jews of Medina, though possessing in their Scriptures, did not choose to bring forward.

Whether there really were such passages, it does not, at present, concern us to enquire. What is plain, and beyond dispute, is, that in the text, Mahomet refers to the Jewish Scriptures as inspired, extant, and genuine:—they are also spoken of in a manner implying that they were possessed in a complete and perfect state by the Jewish tribes at Medina, although those tribes were not candid enough to bring them all forward, but only such of the sheets or scrolls as suited their purpose and argument. Observe that the Book of Moses is here called "a light and guide to mankind."
TESTIMONY TO THE HOLY SCRIPTURES 107
XXXVIII.—SURA VI., v. 93[92].

سورة الأنعام

وَهَـذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَى وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالآخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَهُمْ عَلَى صَلاَتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ

And this book We have revealed,—blessed,—certifying the truth of that (revelation) which precedeth it, and that thou mightest admonish the people of the city (Mecca) and those around it.

And this book We have revealed,—blessed,—certifying the truth of that (revelation) which precedeth it, and that thou mightest admonish the people of the city (Mecca) and those around it.

"That which is before it, i.e. the books preceding it." الذي بين يديه قبله من الكتب Jelalooddeen—. "The Tourât or (other) books preceding the Corân." يعني التوراة أو الكتب التي قبله Baidhâwi.

This passage immediately follows the preceding text quoted in Art. XXXVII. The main characteristic of the Corân is still that it attests the preceding Scripture, being especially intended for the people of "the Metropolis " (Mecca), and those that dwelt around it.

XXXIX.—SURA VI., v. 114.

سورة الأنعام

أَفَغَيْرَ اللّهِ أَبْتَغِي حَكَمًا وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنَزَلَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكِتَابَ مُفَصَّلاً وَالَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ مُنَزَّلٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلاَ تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ

He it is that hath sent down to you the book, explaining (all things;) and those to whom We have given the book know